The inaugural Laois Business Awards take place tonight – with 28 nomineees from around the county shortlisted across nine different categories.
There were a total of 87 applications and the winners will be announced at a gala evening in the Portlaoise Heritage Hotel this evening.
Laois woman Louise Phelan, who is global vice-president of Paypal, was one of the judges while RTE’s Marty Whelan will be the MC.
Tickets are €40 and there will be a drinks reception followed by a four-course meal. ‘The Lols’ will provide the entertainment.
Here are the businesses in the running.
TOURISM AND HOSPITALITY AWARD
Bob’s Bar
Family run traditional museum bar in the heart of Durrow
Coolanowle Country House
Organic B&B, Farmhouse & Self-Catering cottages set on 3 acres. Based near Arles
Tynan’s Restaurant
Boutique restaurant featuring home-grown produce based in Portlaoise
RETAIL EXCELLENCE AWARD
Fisherman’s Thatched Inn
Historical thatched pub in Fisherstown – considered a gem in rural Laois
Breslin’s Supervalu
Family run community supermarket in Rathdowney – emphasis on fresh food
Heidi Higgins
Award-winning fashion designer with studio and boutique in Portlaoise for seven years
INNOVATION IN BUSINESS
Midland Steel Supplies Ltd
One of Ireland’s leading reinforcing fabricators dealing in bespoke fittings. Based in Mountmellick
Irish Polymer Extrusions
Waste plastic recycling company in Mountmellick which washes, shreds and granulates plastic for re-use
Cyc-lok Ltd
Designer/Producer of award-winning modular, access controlled bike lockers
E-COMMERCE AWARD
Kelly Lou Cakes
A custom bakery & café creating celebration cakes & sweet bakes in Portlaoise
The Costume Shop.ie
Ireland’s largest online costume shop based in Clonminam Business Park Portlaoise delivering domestically and internationally
Wall Stickers for Kids
Online store selling wall stickers and decals for kids rooms, hospitals, nurseries etc)
ENVIRONMENTAL AWARD
Groundforce
Specialist rental company dealing in the supply of excavation support/technology
Killeen Civil Engineering
Family-run civil engineering company based in Portlaoise)
CJ Sheerin Ltd
Ireland’s leading manufacturer of timber packaging and pallets
EXPORTER OF THE YEAR
Midland Steel Supplies Ltd
One of Ireland’s leading reinforcing fabricators dealing in bespoke fittings. Based in Mountmellick
Walker Recycling Services
Collection/Processing of agricultural & horticultural low density polyethylene
Laois Sawmills Ltd
State of the art sawmill processing 100,000 tonnes of log material annually. Based in Ballymacken on the Stradbally Road, just outside Portlaoise
SME BUSINESS OF THE YEAR
Laois Sawmills Ltd
State of the art sawmill processing 100,000 tonnes of log material annually. Based in Ballymacken on the Stradbally Road, just outside Portlaoise
G’s Gourmet Jams
Producer of homemade jams, jellies, chutneys, marmalades and sauces from outside Abbeyleix
Aidan O’Connell & Associates
One of Ireland’s leading Engineering Consultancy firms based in Portlaoise
AGRI BUSINESS AWARD
Stradbally Farm Services
Private company dealing in importation and distribution of agricultural equipment
Dunmasc Genetics
Multi-award winning company dealing in bovine semen sales/embryo transfer from outside Portlaoise
Coolanowle Organics Ltd
Small family-run producer of organic meats at Coolanowle Country farm near Arles
ENTREPRENEUR OF THE YEAR
Cian Prendergast (Ortus Managed IT & Cloud)
Supplier of managed I.T & Cloud solutions nationwide.
Connell Breslin (Breslin’s Supervalu)
Family run community supermarket in Rathdowney
Aubrey Nuzum (Aubren Ltd)
Design, build & delivery of air management products
Helen Gee (G’s Gourmet Jams)
Producer of homemade jams, jellies, chutneys, marmalades and sauces, near Abbeyleix
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